West Nile Virus detected in Michigan mosquitoes

West Nile Virus has been detected in two samplings of Macomb County mosquitoes collected on July 11, the county health department announced Monday morning.

No human cases have been confirmed in Michigan this year, but the health department encouraged everyone to protect themselves against mosquito bites in a news release Monday.

West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne disease spread through bites from infected mosquitoes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, and a rash, although most people don’t feel sick.

Roughly one in every five infected people experience symptoms and one in 150 develop serious, sometimes fatal illness, according to the CDC. West Nile Virus cases occur during mosquito season from the summer to early fall, according to the Macomb County Health Department.

“This discovery by our surveillance team is important because it lets us know that this season’s mosquitoes are now carrying the virus—which could spread to humans,” Macomb County Health and Community Services Director Andrew Cox said in the news release. “We encourage everyone to take steps to prevent mosquito bites to the greatest extent possible.”

Residents can use bug spray that contains DEET or picaridin on clothing and exposed skin to repel mosquitoes, the health department recommended. Lemon or eucalyptus oil also works as a more natural repellant, the news release said.

The health department also suggested limiting outdoor activities during mosquitoes’ most active hours between dusk and dawn or wearing pants, long sleeves, and bug spray while outside during this time. Intact window and door screens can also be used to prevent mosquitoes from entering buildings.

Standing water in things like buckets, flowerpots, barrels, gutters, and children’s pools should be drained when not in use, and water in pet dishes and bird baths should be changed regularly so mosquitoes cannot lay eggs there, the news release said.

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